Template Letter (2) to Challenge the Range of Services That Are Available to Special Guardians

Template letter (2) to challenge the range of services that are available to Special Guardians NOT funded by the Adoption Support Fund

To the Director of Children’s Services of the local authority you live in. You may be able to find the name of the Director on the Local Authority website, and you may be able to find their direct email via that website as well. You can also look at the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) website list of Directors to find the name and contact details.

Include your address, email and telephone number. You can email this letter and also put a hard copy in the post.

Amend the template to include the details of the child you care for as a Special Guardian.

Dear [Name of Director of Children’s Services]

Support for Special Guardians.

I am a Special Guardian caring for [Name of child] born on [date of birth]. I have been informed by [name of social worker and team they work in] that the range of support services that I require and which should be provided by the local authority are not available locally.

As you are aware the Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016 ( https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/503547/special_guardianship_guidance.pdf) state that the local authority must make arrangements for the provision of special guardianship support services. Local authorities are required to make a range of support services available in their area to meet the needs of people affected by special guardianship. Special guardianship support services are defined as:

• financial support (regulation 3(1)(a))

• services to enable groups of children for whom a special guardianship order is in force or in respect of whom is being formally considered, special guardians and prospective special guardians, and parents of the child to discuss matters relating to special guardianship (regulation 3(1)(b))

• assistance, including mediation services, in relation to contact between the child and their parents or relatives or any other person with whom the child has a relationship that the local authority considers to be beneficial to the welfare of the child (regulation 3(1)(c))

• therapeutic services for the child (regulation 3(1)(d))

• assistance for the purpose of ensuring the continuance of the relationship between the child and his special guardian or prospective special guardian, including training for the special guardian or prospective special guardian to meet any special needs of the child; respite care; and mediation in relation to matters relating to special guardianship orders (regulation 3(1)(e)), and

• counselling, advice and information (section 14F(1)(a) of the Act)

I would appreciate it if you could tell me where this range of services can be found in [the name of your local authority] If such services are available, please could you ensure that social workers in this authority are aware of them and also let me know how I can access them. If such services are not available then please could you let me know what plans you have to make them available? It would be helpful to know if for example, can we access appropriate services in neighbouring authorities and if associated travel costs will be covered?

Obviously my overriding priority and concern is to ensure that [name of child] receives the right help and support s/he needs and is able to thrive in my care.

I look forward to a response from you within ten working days.

Yours sincerely

[Sign and print your name].